According to Reuters, diplomatic sources in the EU believe that negotiations between the European Union and the UK on the preparation of an agreement on future relations after Brexit are currently at an impasse. In the recent negotiations, it was not possible to achieve significant progress on key issues.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier stressed that the UK refuses any compromises on creating balanced conditions for doing business, on the free movement of people, goods and services, on the development of a phytosanitary control regime for the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well as on the problem of fishing waters.

The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020, after three years of negotiating exit conditions. Brussels and London have agreed on a transitional period until the end of this year, during which all European standards apply to the UK. During this time, the parties must agree on the construction of future relations.